Chapter 58
FIFTY-EIGHT
The fluorescent lights of the courthouse hallway buzzed overhead, making my already frayed nerves feel even more on edge. I smoothed the front of my navy blue blazer for the tenth time, checking that my blouse was still neatly tucked into my skirt.
“You look fine,” Foster whispered, his hand finding mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Better than fine. You look like a sexy librarian.”
I let out a shaky breath. “I need to look like someone who has her life together and can raise a teenager.”
Foster’s thumb traced small circles on the back of my hand, but it didn’t ease my anxiety.
My lawyer, Patricia Winters, approached us with a file folder tucked under her arm.
She was a sturdy woman in her fifties with salt-and-pepper hair cut in a practical bob.
Gram’s estate lawyer had recommended her, and she’d been giving me guidance on what I needed to show the judge to get guardianship of my brother.
“We’re up in fifteen minutes,” Patricia said.
“Judge Harrison is fair but thorough. She’ll want to hear about your living arrangements, financial situation, and education plans for Mason.
” She glanced at Foster. “It’s good you’re here.
Shows family support structure. Did you bring the letters of support from your professors, coach, and past bosses like I requested? ”
Foster held up the folder that had letters of support for both of us. Patricia had explained that the court would be most concerned about providing stability and financial support for Mason, so the letters of support were useful in speaking for our character.
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Will Mason need to speak?”
“The judge will likely ask him a few questions, but nothing too intense. His statement about wanting to live with you is already in the file.”
My brother sat across the hallway, looking uncomfortable in the button-up shirt and khakis I’d convinced him to wear. He kept pulling at his collar and checking his phone. When he caught me watching, he gave me a small nod that somehow contained both reassurance and teenage awkwardness.
The doors to the courthouse opened and my heart filled with warmth as Sam, Gordy, Drew, Liam, and Coach Maxwell all walked in.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“Moral support,” Sam said. “No matter what happens today, we’re here for you.”
I was beyond touched, but didn’t have much time to appreciate their presence.
“Case number 47329, Walker guardianship petition,” the bailiff called from the courtroom doorway.
My stomach dropped as Patricia gathered her things. “That’s us. Remember, honest and straightforward. Judge Harrison appreciates direct answers.”
Foster stood with me, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead. “I’ll be right beside you.”
As we filed into the courtroom, I tried to channel the confidence I felt in the tutoring center or when solving a complex engineering problem.
This was just another challenge to overcome, another problem with a logical solution.
Except it didn’t feel logical—it felt like my entire world and Mason’s future hung in the balance.
I didn’t want to be separated from my brother.
Judge Harrison was a Black woman with elegant silver-streaked dark hair pulled back into a bun. She wore reading glasses perched on the end of her nose as she reviewed the file in front of her. When she looked up, her expression was neutral but not unkind.
“Ms. Walker, I see you’re petitioning for guardianship of your brother, Mason Walker, following the death of your grandmother, Daniella Thomas, who was his legal guardian after your mother, Leila Walker’s passing two years ago.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” I replied, my voice steadier than I expected.
“And you’re twenty-one years old, currently enrolled at Clark Fork University?”
“Yes. I’m in my junior year, studying civil engineering.”
The judge nodded, making a note. “And you’re employed?”
“I work at the university tutoring center and have a paid internship at Holt & Associates Engineering firm in Missoula. My tuition is fully covered under my scholarship.”
Patricia had coached me to be thorough but concise. The judge didn’t need my life story, just the relevant facts to make her decision.
“And your living situation? I see from the file you recently moved Mason from your grandmother’s residence.”
“Yes, Your Honor. Mason and I now live in my apartment closer to campus. I share the apartment with my boyfriend, Foster Kane, and Mason has his own bedroom. Mason also has reliable transportation to and from school, so he doesn’t have to change schools.”
I felt Foster shift in his seat beside me. We’d discussed whether mentioning our living arrangement might hurt my case, but Patricia had advised honesty. Hiding details would only damage my credibility if they came to light later.
“And Mr. Kane is present today?” Judge Harrison looked next to me.
“Yes, Your Honor,” Foster replied.
“You’re a student as well?”
“Yes, Your Honor. I’m a junior at CFU, studying business, and I’m captain of the hockey team.”
The judge nodded and returned her attention to me. “Ms. Walker, raising a teenager is challenging under the best circumstances. You’re young, in school full-time, working two jobs. How do you plan to provide adequate supervision and support for your brother?”
This was the question I’d prepared for most carefully. I took a deep breath.
“I’ve arranged my class and work schedule to be home when Mason returns from school most days.
On days when I can’t be there, Foster or one of our friends is available.
Mason’s football coach has also been incredibly supportive, and the team provides structure and mentorship for him.
He’s been invited to off-season workouts with some of his teammates if one of us needs to pick him up later.
We also have a friend group that is more like family, and they’ve all offered to help support Mason. ”
I glanced at Mason, who was watching me intently.
“As for finances, I get a small monthly stipend from a trust from the sale of our childhood home after my mom passed away. My grandmother left us her house, which I’m planning to sell.
The proceeds will go into a trust for Mason’s college education and give us a financial cushion.
I receive a full scholarship at CFU, and my internship at Holt & Associates has offered me a position with increased hours this summer. ”
Judge Harrison made more notes, then looked directly at Mason.
“Young man, you’ve had a lot of loss in your life based on the information in your file. Your father when you were very young, your mother two years ago, and now your grandmother. How are you coping with all of this?”
Mason sat up straighter, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke. “It’s been hard, but Abby’s always been there for me. Even when she was away at college, she called every day after Mom died.”
My throat tightened at his words. I hadn’t known those calls and texts had meant so much to him.
“And you want to live with your sister? You understand she’ll be responsible for making decisions about your education, health care, and daily life until you turn eighteen?”
Mason nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Abby’s been taking care of me since Mom died, really. Gram was there, but she was getting older. Abby made sure I did my homework and went to football practice even when I didn’t want to.”
A small smile crossed the judge’s face. “And do you feel safe and supported in your new living arrangement?”
“Yeah,” Mason said, then quickly corrected himself. “I mean, yes, Your Honor. Foster and his friends help me with school stuff. It’s like…having big brothers or something.”
I blinked back tears, not wanting to get emotional in the courtroom, but Mason’s words hit me hard. I was glad he felt supported because that had been my biggest fear with all this change.
Judge Harrison turned back to me. “Ms. Walker, I see from the home study report that your living conditions are suitable, and the social worker noted the positive relationship between you and your brother. However, I remain concerned about your ability to balance your own education and career development with the responsibility of raising a teenager—especially in light of the letter I received from Dennis Kane.”
My heart sank. This was worse than I’d feared. I’d been worried that despite all our preparations, I still wouldn’t be seen as capable enough.
I hadn’t even considered that Foster’s dad might find out about all this and try to sabotage us.
Judge Harrison continued, her tone measured.
“Mr. Kane submitted statements questioning your financial independence and raised concerns about the legality of your current housing arrangement. According to the documents reviewed, the apartment lease is held jointly by you and Samantha Lowe, who no longer resides at the property. Instead, Foster Kane—who is not listed on the lease—has taken her place without formal approval from your landlord. He also suggested that your landlord doesn’t know about Mason living at the residence as well. ”
I felt the heat rise in my face. It was such a small detail, but one I’d missed.
“While not a disqualifying factor on its own,” Judge Harrison said, flipping the page, “housing stability is a key consideration in guardianship cases. An unapproved tenant—particularly one with a direct personal relationship to the petitioner—raises legal and ethical concerns the court is obligated to evaluate.”
Of course. He was turning Foster’s presence into a liability.
He’d left us alone since Foster confronted him, and in all the craziness and grief, I’d let my guard down where Dennis Kane was concerned.
Foster was tense beside me, and I had no doubt he was furious that his father was trying to set us up as irresponsible when that couldn’t be further from the truth.
But Dennis Kane once again underestimated me.